I’ve been asked to guest blog on a very fine Irish Music Blog 2 U I Bestow. Here’s the first entry…

I’m invading England this week, which is always fun.  While I’m there I’ll be playing a few tunes and also, hopefully, volcano allowing, cheering on herself as she runs (or as she’d say herself, shuffles) the London marathon.  Thankfully I don’t have to worry about the volcano myself as I’m on the ferry.

I’ve spent today getting things ready for the jaunt.  Making sure I have all the necessaries, sample list follows:

Packed lunch – a rightfully time-honoured Irish tradition I was introduced to on trips to various All-Irelands.  Nothing like some tae and sangidges from the back of the car.  I believe I have some chicken salad numbers with me, and obviously there’s the oranges and bananas and a dodgy modern edition the red bovine (or cheap Lidl replacement) energy drink.

I’ll be able to pick up tae in England, but it never seems the same for some reason.  They pronounce it differently and all…

Sat Nav – I drove around London once without a Sat Nav.  Never again.  Trying to read a tattered A to Z somewhere in the middle of Camden with what seems like half the city beeping their horns at you isn’t an experience I’d care to repeat.

Tunes – vital, obviously.  I’m very chuffed with myself as I’ve got Spotify on my mobile phone and am loving the offline playlisting capability.  I know.  It’s sad, isn’t it…  Bit of Elliott Smith in there, bit of the old Drowned in Sound randomness.  That’s not sad, is it!?  Well, Elliott Smith is sad, but in a different way of course…

Pillow – comes in VERY handy on the Ferry.  Particularly when the ferry leaves at 2:15am.  I’m looking forward to three hours of kip as I’ve been on my feet all day.  Need my beauty sleep!

Sleeping destinations – I always like to know which friends couch I’m sleeping on for the first few days at least.  You could just wing it I suppose, that might be more rock and roll, but I like to have that kind of detail sorted out in advance.

Layers – that coat you have for deepest, darkest winter is going to be a useful garment in Holyhead at 5 in the morning.

Time for me to leg it to catch the ferry.  Stay tuned for tomorrows episode “Adventures on the Motorway”.  There might be some music too.